In China we have not seen the usual Halloween pumpkins in the vegetable markets.   The only ones to find are small.  (See Jessie’s blog on her jack-o-lantern)  Also, if you want to make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas, the cost of canned pumpkin imported is about $3.50 per can.  We have found a nice Chinese pumpkin called “nan guar”.  I can purchase one of these for about fifty cents, and get enough pumpkin for 4 pumpkin pies!  But it takes a little work and patience.

Start with this...looks sort of like a gourd

Remove the seeds, peel and cook until tender

Mash and store in 2 cup containers for future use

I find this pumpkin very flavorful, and even sweet.  It sure makes yummy pumpkin pies, and at a fraction of the cost!